Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-05


THE SITUATION IN MExIco
Between the Church and Liberal parties
| the clerical and anti-clerical-now absorbs
all the other political divisions of this al
legged republic, and is of the greatest con-
sequence to Americans located here. To
the Mexican leaders it is no new question,
but the more importunate presentation of
| an old and determined one, that has
existed ever since the Church faction
(which is really the old Macmillan
party, went down under the iron hand of
Juarez, the first great Liberal By this
time all might have been well in the
country had not the anti-clerical party
overdone the business of Liberalism - bv
actual oppression of its opponents Not
only has Church property been ruthlessly
confiscated TO the uses of the Government,
and in many cases given to governmental
| fayorlteS for private uses, till sanctuaries
once the richest are reduced to poverty
not only were nuns and monks turned
homeless into the streets, compelled to for
sake their holy orders or leave the country
forthwith, and the wearing of their re-
ligious habits forbidden on pain of impris-
onment, while Turks, Hottentots, or any
Other heather we're at liberty to appear in
WHATEVER garb they pleased-not only
were all religious professions prohibited,
and the ringing of church bell forbidden,
except at intervals prescribed by the anti
clerical Government-but law has followed
law, and edict succeeded edict, curtailing
the most common privileges of the clergy,
even those which are free to anybody else
within the border of this land, falsely de-
Dictated to Dios Libertad-" God and
Liberty"
On the 18th of October bill was pre-
sented in the Mexican Congress, by which
the privileges of the clergy of all denomi-
nations are still further restricted. 1t re-
lates particularly to the holding of prop
erty Tor religious purposes, and provides
that a church not regularly used for pub
lie worship may be confiscated at any
time, on the announcement of any pri-
vate party, and sold at public auction
part of the proceeds falling to the State
and the rest to the denouncer.
| The quid nuRcS are looking for the Gull
mination of difficulties On the 18th of De-
cember next, when the annual procession
to the shrine Of Guadalupe takes place.
If the present bitter feeling is not allayed,
or If an attempt to stop the procession is
A-'NS, PAbNhSo batllC 10 llAtiN W GiiSu6.
THE CHURCH PARTY
Can secure renewed power only as the Lib
erals gained, by violence and revolution.
Restoration of the old clerical regime I'M
doubleday means commercial and social re-
PROGRESSION; reprisals on political enemies;
forcible seizure of property once belonging
TO the church but now held by private
purchasers under the Confseation Act
arming of the divided hosts throughout
the country war, bloodshed and a general
overturning of all existing institutions.
The more intelligent Catholics-those
whose religious zeal is not so great as to
destroy all patriotic impulse, or whose
personal or political aggrandizement does
not depend on the restoration of the Church
party-will be found in the anti-Clerical
ranks. 1t will not be more Catholic and
antl-Catholic contest, than contest be-
tween Catholics, as to whether the Church
shall again absorb and control the couu-
try, or concern itself only with the spirit
ual affairs of the people.
Certainly it is an uncontrovertahle fact
that since the overthrow of the old Church
regime, Mexico has advanced more than
she had done in century before; and
that, for the first time in her history,
Mexico is beginning to hold up her head
among the nations of the earth Restora-
ton of the Clerical party to power would
mean prompt enguflng in total destruc-
ton of all the great American interests in
Mexico, if not clash Of arms between this
country and the United States: therefore
every American here, whatever may be his
religious proclivities, will be found on the
anti-Church side.
In this connection it may be mentioned
that very grave difficulty is apprehended
in the appointment of a successor to the
late Thomas CORTLAND Manning, as
UNITED STATES MINISTER TO MEXICO.
1t seems that President Cleveland is
bound by a promise to Thomas B. Connerv.
Secretary of the American Legation in the
City of Mexico, to raise him (Connery) to
the position of Minister, in the event Of
MIR. Manning's promised resignation. Mr..
Connery is one of the most bigoted Catho-
lies; carrying his religious devotion so far
that 1t is said he refused to speak to his
brother Tor weeks, on account of some diff
ferences of opinion which arose between
them in discussing the tenets of their faith. |
What diplomatic complications may ensue
In the event of such man being made the |
representative of American interests here,
none can foresee. The Church party be- |
ing at present actively engaged in fer |
mentlng strong sentiment against Presi- |
dent Diaz it is doubtful if his administra-
ton would welcome very cordially Minis |
ter whose religious bias is so strongly on |
the side of the opposition Now that the |
Liberal party have determined that Diaz |
shall be his own successor, though the Con- |
stitution must be changed to allow it. and |
the Church faction as well as a great num- |
Der of anti-Catholics, are equally deter
mined that he shall not be reelected. n |
complication is presented, by no means en-
couraging to a diplomat who is not COM |
mitted to one side or the other as is Mr.. |
Connery.
Judge Manning was greatly respected |
here for his dignifed and vigiiant course,
and his influence with the Mexican Gov
eminent has rarely been exceeded. He |
was man who would have attracted at |
tentlon In any crowd, or at any court.
Over SIX feet in hight and admirably pro-
portioned, with a clean-shaven, powerful |
face and well-balanced head, he looked |
the born orator, advocate and diplomat, |
highly educated and exceptionally intelli-
gent, he was both honest and ambitious.
and added to these attractions faultless |
social demeanor-a refinement of courtesy
tinctured with earnest cordiality-the |
heritage of his Southern ancestry. Though
50 short time III Mexico, he had
thoroughly mastered the Spanish Ian
gnage, and the United States never had a
more worthy and efficient representative.
At the time of his death he had Just passed |
his sixtieth year. He had no sons to per- |
petuate his name, but leaves wife and |
three married daughters.
FANNIE B. WARD.
The Stomach as a Vinegar Cruet.